Stena Line has decreased the carbon emissions by 11% per tonne of cargo carried over each nautical mile, as well as achieving a reduction of 4% total ship emissions compared to pre-Covid operations.

The main contributor to the result is the significantly higher utilisation and thus efficiency of the company´s fleet with cargo during the latest years. In its roadmap to a net-zero future, Stena Line has set up a target to reduce total CO2 emissions from its vessels by 30% by 2030.

During port operations and lay times, Stena Line now uses 100% renewable electricity. The energy is used for shore power at 20% of Stena Line´s terminals while berthing, to load battery packages on-board and for electric vehicles onshore that are used during port operations. Furthermore, initiatives like prior access to e-trucks to Stena Line´s ferries and pilot projects to use recycled methanol from the steel industry as shipping fuel lay the foundation for further step-wise greening of the operations of Stena Line.

“At Stena Line we have a broad approach to sustainability, based on care – care for our customers, care for our resources and care for each other. As we strive to reduce energy consumption in all of our operations, I am proud that by introducing our new E-Flexer ferries in our route network, we made significant steps in further improving our overall efficiency during operations. But aside from technological and operational means, it is as important to work hard on structures and culture to become an even more sustainable company and contribute to our societal responsibilites”, says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line.

Stena Line´s sustainability efforts are based on six dedicated Sustainable Development goals of the UN: Affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, life below water, gender equality, reduced inequalities, good health and well-being.

Further highlights in Stena Line´s sustainability efforts during 2021 include:

• A recycling rate of 42% of waste and a fallback of landfill waste to 2019 levels (24%), before plastic use increased for safety purposes
• 50% female representation in Stena Line’s Group Management Team
• Appointing the first female captain in Lynette Bryson, serving on Stena Aventurer on the key route Dublin-Holyhead
• Recruiting the first Diversity and Inclusion Lead in Salem Yohannes, helping Stena Line to speed up the journey to equality and launch of a diversity and inclusion campaign
• Introducing Maria Tornvall as new Head of Sustainability, committed to aligning Stena Line´s sustainable actions towards the ambitious targets
• Improving employee indicators such as engagement, team efficiency, leadership, organisation and social work environment above benchmark and achievement of a positive net promoter score of 9 – meaning  employees would recommend Stena Line as an attractive workplace.
• Reduction of sick leave average from 5,2% to 4,2%

“Stena Line has been a trailblazer for the industry when it comes to implementing sustainable technology, operations and structures, and we are aiming to retain our position as a leading company in this area. It is important to show and tell what we as company and people working at Stena Line can do to make a difference, to inspire and to motivate. Yes, the future is challenging on various levels, but with a clear roadmap towards a net-zero future and an even better workplace, defined steps how to reach the targets, and not the least the dedication of all of us, there are a lot of reasons for optimism”, says Maria Tornvall, Head of Sustainability at Stena Line.

To consult the ferry operator's sustainability report, this is available to download here.

At the Port of Waterford today, Iarnród Eireann and XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of freight transportation solutions, launched a new rail freight service in each direction between the south-east port and Ballina, Co Mayo.

The new rail service begins weekly operations today, building to twice-weekly within eight weeks.

It will offer Irish industry a greener and more efficient mode of transporting freight between the West and southeast of the country. In addition the service sees the potential for over 5,000 truck movements a year to switch from road to rail, with a resulting reduction in road congestion, and 75% reduction in emissions per unit.

The new service comes as Iarnród Éireann is finalising a new national rail freight strategy to identify growth and investment opportunities to significantly grow rail freight operations.

Port of Waterford Chief Executive Frank Ronan said, “Port of Waterford welcomes the re-introduction of rail freight services to the Port at Belview. These trains, carrying container freight, will work very effectively with the Port's Lo-Lo shipping services to provide businesses in Ireland's West/North West with a compelling logistics solution to and from mainland Europe.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, welcomed the new service, saying: “The rail network has a critical role to play in transforming how we transport people and goods with a view to achieving net-zero emissions. This service offers a practical and sustainable option for businesses on both sides of the country who are looking to move goods for domestic and export markets. As we examine the potential to increase the use of the network for freight, it is fitting that this new service will offer an immediate solution for freight movement between these key locations.”

Minister of State for Transport & Logistics, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “Ireland’s freight, logistics and distribution transport sector plays a critical role in our economy and this new service will sustainably connect businesses in the West of Ireland to the Port of Waterford and onwards to export markets. Our supply chains are resilient and by adding new rail transport offerings to industry, we can continue to support local communities and in turn, our climate objectives.”

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade said, "We are entering a very exciting phase where rail freight can offer key solutions for the movement of freight as the country addresses both environmental and congestion challenges in this sector. We are currently finalising a very ambitious strategic plan for the growth of rail freight between key locations across the country. Today's announcement with XPO and Waterford Port demonstrates the viable opportunities that can be developed that will not just support industry and the logistics sector, but is also fully aligned with the country's climate action plan."

Dan Myers, managing director, transport – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics said, “Climate change is a critical global challenge; the solutions will take a concerted effort, coordinated action and cooperation. Our collaborative, end-to-end service with Irish Rail — where XPO provides the booking of rail freight movements, drayage trucking of containers, and services such as cross-docking — is a double win. Our customers have new, eco-friendly transport options, and our planet wins as supply chains become greener. It’s another step in our collective journey to a carbon-neutral future.”

He added "Dublin's carbon emissions reductions and road and port congestion alleviation make this a worthwhile initiative. We wish XPO Logistics every success with this venture and look forward to working with them."

Iarnród Éireann is continuing to work with existing and potential new customers and Freight Forwarders, Ports and the Irish Exporters Association to identify opportunities and trends for rail freight development within the Irish and European market.

The new rail freight service between Ballina and Waterford is in addition to existing rail freight operations, which include:

-         Container traffic from Ballina to Dublin Port

-         Pulpwood from Ballina and Westport to Waterford Port

-         Zinc ore from Tara Mines in Navan to Dublin Port

#FerryNews - A Scandinavian ferry operating between Sweden and Denmark, the Stena Jutlandica has now completed its first month of operation as a battery hybrid vessel and the positive experiences from the first weeks of service have exceeded expectations.

“It's really exciting to be running with electrical power on the Stena Jutlandica. This project is an important part of our focused efforts to find ways of reducing our impact on the environment. As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation is becoming a very attractive alternative to traditional fuel for shipping as it should be possible to completely eliminate emissions in the future,” says Erik Lewenhaupt, Head of Sustainability at Stena Line.

The battery project is being carried out in steps. Step One, which is presently underway, is about switching to electrical operation to reduce the use of diesel generators, as well as for maneuvering and powering the bow thrusters when the ship is in port.

In Step Two, battery power will be connected to two of the four primary machines, which means that the Stena Jutlandica will be able to run on electrical power for about 10 nautical miles inside the archipelago out to Vinga Lighthouse (Gothenburg, Sweden).

During Step Three, all four primary machines will be connected to the batteries and the ship will be able to cover the 50 nautical miles between Sweden and Denmark solely on electrical power. A number of positive effects have already been noted after just one month.

“We've been able to significantly reduce our use of the diesel generators and now only need to use one instead of three. Another positive effect concerns safety. Having constant access to electricity, we minimize the risk for power outages”, says Johan Stranne, Senior Chief Engineer on the Stena Jutlandica.

In Step One alone, the environmental savings from using battery power for reduced generator usage and maneuvering in port amounts to approximately 500 tons of fuel saved and 1,500 tons of reduced CO2. This corresponds to the annual emissions from approximately 600 cars.

The rationale for execution in multiple steps is to enable testing and assessment while the project is underway. If the project is successful, battery power can be considered for other vessels within the Stena Line fleet. Work on Step Two has begun and the goal is for implementation within approximately three years.

The technical solutions in Step One have been developed by Stena Teknik in collaboration with the Callenberg Technology Group, with half of the funding for the project coming from the Swedish Transport Administration and the EU.